After a long day, opening your mail and finding a court summons is discouraging. It can be an excruciating experience and one that is hard to ignore. However, this is not the best time to panic.
Receiving a summon does not necessarily, predict the results of your case in any way. There is still much to be done. From hiring an attorney to finding court-ordered community service ideas in case, your case goes well. However, you must make quick decisions after a summon to avoid any serious consequences.
What is a Summon?
A court summons is a legal document ordering you to appear at a specified time and place to give testimony or participate in a legal proceeding. In the case of drug possession, the court summons will be served to you by a law enforcement officer, who will then read you your rights and ask you to sign and date a copy of the summons.
What Should you Do After You Receive A Court Summon?
1. Take Note of Courts Dates and Deadlines
You must appear in court in case of a summon. It is important to take notice of the date and time for your court appearance. Similarly, take note of any deadlines for filing paperwork or making payments on your court summons.
If you don’t appear in court, a judge can issue a warrant for your arrest. However, in case of any valid reason for missing a court date, you should ask the judge to reschedule your hearing through your attorney or request for an adjournment on your behalf.
2. Hire a Lawyer to Find and Assess your Case
A drug possession charge is one of the serious charges. If you’ve been charged with drug possession, you’ll want to find an attorney to help you assess the charges against you and develop a strong defense strategy.
If you’re unsure what to do after receiving a court summons for drug possession, it’s in your best interest to hire a lawyer and let them take care of everything. A criminal defense lawyer can do everything from negotiating with the district attorney to representing you in court. Consecutively, it’s important to hire a lawyer as soon as possible. The earlier you retain an attorney, the more time they have to prepare your defense.
3. Fight your Possession Charge
It is possible to fight a possession charge, but you must have a strong defense strategy. The most common defenses for drug possession include arguing that the police did not have probable cause, that the drugs were not yours, or that you have a medical marijuana card.
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to accept a drug possession charge. You have a constitutional right to fight criminal charges and have a fair trial. However, to do this, you must first honor your summon in a court of law where you present your testimonies and evidence.
Understanding the Penalties for Drug Possession
If you’ve been charged with drug possession, you’ll need to prepare yourself for the penalties that come with this charge. If you’re charged with simple possession of drugs, you’ll face a misdemeanor charge that could result in hefty fines, probation, and even jail time. If the prosecution can prove that you intended to distribute the drugs found on you, you could be charged with a felony. You will face a mandatory minimum sentence if you’re found guilty of felony drug possession.